When thinking about therapy, most people think of individual therapy. This is where you go to a professional's office to discuss your problems in a confidential setting. Expectations regarding what therapy might be like or provide vary depending on an individual's background and previous experience.

Making the decision to enter into individual therapy is important. Being an educated consumer can help you to feel confident that you are making a decision that will work for you. Please take the time to read over the staff bios to decide which person's work seems to fit most with your perspective and needs. While noting their areas of special interest might be a good starting place, also consider the reactions that you have as you read. The person that you feel drawn to might be a better fit.Before scheduling your first appointment, you will be given the opportunity for a free 15 minute phone consultation with the clinician, this is another way for you to determine fit. During this phone conversation you will get a feel for how it is to talk with that clinician and this will hopefully help you in your decision regarding therapy.

Sometimes the terminology for mental health practitioners can be confusing. Here are some things to keep in mind when you are searching for someone to see.

Licensed Psychologist-to be a licensed psychologist in the state of Kansas means that the person has completed a doctoral level degree from an accredited university. The person with a license has completed the appropriate clinical hours with supervision through their doctoral training and even after they earned their degree (one year of supervised experience after earning the degree is required). Psychologists are trained in therapy and are not qualified to prescribe medicine. Psychologists are uniquely qualified to provide psychological assessment.

Psychiatrist-trained in medical school and became a psychiatrist by specializing in mental health. Their principle form of intervention for mental illness is medication though some provide therapy as well.

Here at Manhattan Mental Health Services, LLC we are psychologists. There are times when we refer clients to psychiatrists/medical doctors for the purposes of medication. When this happens the client is asked to fill out a release of information for the coordination of care. The unique advantage to coming to a psychologist for help is that assessment may be used in order to offer a more detailed understanding of the problem and offer additional ways of coping and management of symptoms.